Gift package

ABSTRACT

A gift package including a decorative package and a protective package, where the decorative package is slightly dimensionally smaller in length, width and height than the protective package. The decorative package fits in the protective package without freely sliding therein, and has a decorative exterior. The decorative package and protective package can be in the form of an envelope, box or the like, or a combination thereof. Also, a gift package in the form of an envelope, box or the like, or a combination thereof, having an extension on a flap that can be used as a gift card.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to provisional U.S. Patentapplication No. 60/721,829, filed on Sep. 30, 2005

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of gift packages,and more particularly to gift packages that are intended for shippingfrom the giver to the recipient.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gift packages have come in various forms. Perhaps the most common formincludes a package that contains the gift which is wrapped in adecorative paper to make the package visually appealing. However, topackage a gift and wrap it is often time consuming and difficult,requiring the purchase of the package and the wrapping, as well as tape,etc., to complete the wrapping.

Once wrapped, the giver must also make accommodations for shipping thegift to the recipient. This often includes purchasing a shippingcontainer, such as another box or envelope to protect the wrappedpackage. However, the protective container is usually significantlybigger than the wrapped package, so that the wrapped package slidesfreely within the protective container. This requires additionalpackaging material, such as wadded paper, to keep the wrapped packagestationary in the protective container during shipping.

Because of the amount of time and inconvenience, alternatives have beendeveloped. For example, the gift bag is widely used, comprising a baghaving decorative printing on the exterior. The gift giver often merelyplaces the gift in tissue paper and places it in the gift bag to give tothe recipient. This device also has drawbacks, however, in that the giftcan slip out of the gift bag during shipping. Moreover, the gift bagdoes not provide protection to the gift and is not generally closed.Therefore, sending a gift bag to a recipient requires additionalmaterials to keep the gift in the gift bag and that the gift bag beplaced in another box for shipping.

Additionally, it is preferred that the size of the package match thesize of the item to be packaged. Unfortunately, gift packaging has beendeveloped mostly in standard sizes to fit a number of different sizedgifts. This tends to diminish the aesthetic appearance of the giftwithin the package. In this regard, envelopes have been developed, asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,511, which have mitered corners toprovide an improved visual appearance. These envelopes generally conformto the lengths and widths of the paper(s) or object(s) inserted andexpand to the thickness of the paper(s) or object(s) for a fittedappearance.

Another concern in gift giving is the card, where the giver wishes tosend a written sentiment or merely indicate from whom the gift is beingsent. This requires the additional purchase of a card to include withthe gift. Similarly, the recipient will usually need to purchase a“thank you” card to acknowledge receipt of the gift.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved giftpackage that is decorative but is protected for shipment to therecipient via the mail or other delivery methods. It is an alternativeobject of the invention to provide a gift package that is complete forshipment to the recipient, including a card for salutation to therecipient and/or a return mailable card for thank you to the sender.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This and other objects are achieved by the present invention which isdirected to a gift package comprising an inner decorative package havinga decorative exterior surface and an outer protective package which isdimensionally larger than the decorative package to accept thedecorative package. In this regard, the protective package is considereddimensionally larger in that it is formed in substantially the samegeneral proportions as the decorative envelope, but slightly larger.

In its preferred embodiment, the protective package is only slightlydimensionally larger than the decorative package to provide a relativelysnug fit of the decorative package within the protective package.Generally, a snug fit allows a decorative package with a gift sealedtherein to be easily slid into the protective package but without somuch room that the decorative envelope will freely slide around in theprotective package.

The decorative package and the protective package are preferably formedwith similar structural features, the protective package merely beinglarger in each of the dimensions. Most preferably, the decorative andprotective packages are in the form of structurally rigid or semi-rigidenvelopes, formed with mitered corners to create a flat appearance whenthe gift is inserted. However, the decorative and protective packagescan take any suitable form, including a standard envelope within anenvelope, a box within a box, a box within an envelope, an envelopewithin a box, etc.

The decorative package can be formed of any suitable material orcombination of materials, including paper, paperboard, cardboard,corrugate, polymers, plastics, foils, or the like, including laminatesof one or more of such materials and/or such materials or laminatesthereof with or without a coating or thereon. As stated, the materialpreferably forms a rigid or semi-rigid structure for the integrity ofthe package and contents. Preferably, the decorative package is in theform of an envelope that lies flat prior to use and expands in thicknessconforming to the thickness of the gift.

The decorative element can be added as a laminated layer, for example afoil or polymer layer on a paperboard base, as the coating itself, forexample using a colored coating material on cardboard, by printing orscreening a design or other decoration on a corrugate material, adheringa decorative material to a base material or any other material or methodknown or hereinafter used to create a decorative appearance on thedecorative package.

The protective package can similarly be formed of any suitable materialor combination of materials, including paper, paperboard, cardboard,polymers, plastics, foils, or the like, including laminates of one ormore of such materials and/or such materials or laminates thereof withor without a coating or thereon. Similarly, the material for theprotective package may be formed of a rigid or semi-rigid structure forthe integrity of the package and contents. However, it is understoodthat if one of the decorative package or protective package materials isformed of a rigid or semi-rigid material the other may be formed of aless rigid material.

However, the protective package does not require a decorativeappearance, so that it is preferably made of a less expensive or moredurable material. The protective package also preferably includes aspace for the shipping address of the recipient to be printed and spacefor such common shipping features as a return address and/or postage.

Although the protective package can take a shape and form other than thedecorative package, it is preferred that the protective package besubstantially dimensionally similar in width, length and height as thedecorative package to limit movement of the decorative package withinthe protective package.

Preferably, the decorative package includes a closure to maintain thedecorative package in a closed configuration once the gift has beenplaced therein. Additionally, the protective package preferably includesa self sealing adhesive strip, covered by a peel away release layer, toseal the protective package once the decorative package has been placedtherein. In its most preferred embodiment, the decorative package has anextended portion on a closure flap, which may be removable, that forms acard for salutation from the giver to the recipient.

In another embodiment, the protective package may have a handle thatextends from the protective package so that the gift package can beeasily carried by the gift giver or the recipient. Such a handle can beformed into a portion of the protective package, formed of an integralextension on the envelope or attached to the package eithermechanically, by an adhesive or by any other suitable method.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood when considered in viewof the attached drawings, in which like reference characters indicatelike parts. The drawings, however, are presented merely to illustratethe preferred embodiment of the invention without limiting the inventionin any manner whatsoever, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the preferred gift package ofthe present invention, including the preferred embodiments of thedecorative envelope and the protective envelope.

FIG. 2A is a rear elevation view of a preferred decorative package ofFIG. 1 with an adhesive closure in an open configuration.

FIG. 2B is a rear elevation view of the preferred decorative package ofFIG. 1 in a closed configuration.

FIG. 2C is a rear elevation view of a preferred decorative package ofFIG. 1 with an insert closure in an open configuration.

FIG. 3A is a front elevation view of the protective package of FIG. 1 inan open configuration.

FIG. 3B is a front elevation view of the protective package of FIG. 1 ina closed configuration.

FIG. 3C is a front elevation view of an alternative embodiment of theprotective package in an open configuration.

FIG. 4 is an exploded side elevation view of the preferred gift packageof FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top elevation view of the unassembled preferred gift packageas shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 6 is a bottom elevation view of the unassembled preferred giftpackage as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the assembled preferred gift package ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a front plan view of the assembled preferred gift package withan alternative embodiment of a handle on the protective envelope.

FIG. 9 is a rear plan view of the assembled preferred gift package ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a bottom elevation view of the assembled preferred giftpackage of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the assembled preferred gift packageof FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a cross section view of the assembled preferred gift packageas taken through line 12-12 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 13 is an alternative embodiment of the gift package of the presentinvention wherein the decorative package is in the form of a box and theprotective package is in the form of an envelope.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown in the drawings, and particularly FIG. 1, the present inventionis directed to a gift package 2 comprising an inner decorative package 4and an outer protective package 6. The outer protective package 6 isdimensionally larger than the decorative package 4 to accept thedecorative package 4, wherein the dimensionally larger protectivepackage 6 is formed in substantially the same length and widthproportions as the decorative package 4, but larger.

In the embodiment shown, the protective package 6 is only slightlydimensionally larger than the decorative package 4 to provide arelatively snug fit of the decorative package 4 within the protectivepackage 6. Generally, a substantially snug fit allows a decorativepackage 4 with a gift sealed therein to be easily slid into theprotective package 6, but without so much room that the decorativepackage 4 will slide freely around within the protective package 6.

In its preferred embodiment shown and described herein, the decorativepackage 4 and the protective package 6 are created in the form ofenvelopes with identically structured features, the protective package 6merely being larger in each of the dimensions. Most preferably, thedecorative package 4 and the protective package 6 are formed withmitered corners 8 and an interior score line 10 along at least one sideof the envelope, as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,511. Asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,511, such a configuration creates aflat appearance when an item or package that is substantially the samelength and width as score lines 10 formed on the envelopes is inserted.

The decorative package 4 can be made out of any suitable material,including coated and/or uncoated paper, paperboard, cardboard, plastic,foil, polyethylene fiber material such as TYVEK, natural fiber, wovenand/or fabric materials and combinations or laminates thereof. Thedecorative package 4 preferably has a decorative exterior to provide anaesthetically pleasing appearance in which to present the gift. In thisregard, the decorative exterior can be a colored, printed, coated,transferred or topically applied surface that creates a decorativeappearance.

In a most preferred embodiment, the decorative envelope 4 is apaperboard material with a coated decorative exterior finish. Althoughany thickness is intended to fall within the scope of the presentinvention, a total thickness of the coated paperboard being 10 point orgreater has been found to be suitable for this application.

The decorative package 4 comprises a closure flap 12 to close thedecorative package 4 about the gift contained therein. In the embodimentshown in FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B, the closure flap 12 includes an adhesiveclosure 14 to maintain the closure flap 12 in a closed configuration.

Of course, any suitable closure 14 is contemplated for use in thepresent invention, as long as it functions to maintain the decorativepackage 4 in a closed configuration. These include both sealingclosures, which cannot be opened without destroying the closure, andnon-sealing closures that can be opened and re-closed.

Some sealing closures include adhesives that need to be moistened, selfsealing contact adhesive coatings that require a release layer and thelike. Non-sealing closures include releasable adhesives, gums, clasps,clips, VELCRO, snaps, strings, one or more slots on the decorativepackage 4 for physically receiving a portion of the closure flap 12 andthe like.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a self sealing contactadhesive with a peel-off release coating, as is well known in the art ofenvelopes, is used. In such an embodiment it is also preferred toinclude a tear strip 16, as is also well known in the packaging orenvelope art to easily open the decorative package 4 for removal of thegift. Although the adhesive closure 14 is shown at the attached end ofthe closure flap 12, it is understood that it may just as well belocated at the terminal end.

Another most preferred closure 14 for the decorative package 4 is shownin FIG. 2C. In this embodiment a terminal portion 13 of the closure flap12 can be physically inserted into a slot 15 on the decorative envelope4 to maintain the closure flap 12 in a closed configuration.

When a decorative package 4 is printed with a decorative pattern, asmore fully described herein, there may be a message area 20 for use as agift card. The message area 20 may be a blank or lightened area, so thegift giver has a place to write a message. The message area 20 can beplaced anywhere on the decorative package 4, and is preferably placed inan aesthetic area. In the most preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2B,the closure flap 12 includes an elongated area 18 on which the messagearea 20 is placed.

If a sealing closure 14 and tear strip 16 are used, it is preferred, butnot required, that the message area 20 be located below the tear strip16. This allows the recipient be able to keep the message once thedecorative package 4 is opened.

The protective package 6 can likewise be formed of any suitablematerial, including the materials listed above for use with thedecorative envelope 4, as long as the material selected provides a levelof protection to the decorative package 4 contained therein. However, adecorative exterior is not required on the protective package 6 since itis contemplated to merely protect the decorative package 4, but may beused if desired.

The protective package 6 also comprises a closure flap 22 to close theprotective package 6 about the decorative package 4 contained therein.As shown in FIGS. 1, 3A and 3C, the closure flap 22 includes an adhesiveportion 24 to secure the closure flap 22 in a closed configuration.Unlike the decorative package 4 that is contained in the protectivepackage 6, it is preferred that the protective package 6 utilize asealing adhesive to ensure that the integrity of the gift package 2 isnot compromised during shipping. In such an embodiment, the protectivepackage 6 also includes a tear strip 26 for the recipient to easily openthe protective package 6 for removal of the decorative package 4.

In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 3C the closure flap 22 of theprotective package 6 has an elongated portion 28 that can be used toprovide the recipient with a return postcard 30. The return postcard 30may be printed with an area to write in the name and address of thegiver of the gift on the side of the postcard 30 relating to the outsideof the elongated portion 28, leaving a space for a message on the sideof the postcard 30 relating to the inside of the elongated portion 28.Similarly, the return postcard 30 may be provided with prepaid postage.

Since the protective package 6 is intended to ship to the recipient, theterminal end 32 of the elongated portion 28 preferably includes anadditional adhesive strip 34 for maintaining the terminal end 32 of theclosure flap 22 in a closed configuration. The elongated portion 28 withthe adhesive strip 34 at the terminal end 32 may also include a tearstrip 36 just inside the adhesive strip 34 for easy removal of thepostcard 30 from the closure flap 22. Additionally, the elongatedportion 28 of the closure flap 22 preferably has perforated lines 38 atthe ends of the postcard 30 for a clean removal of the postcard 30 fromthe closure flap 22 of the protective envelope 6.

As shown in FIGS. 4-6, the closed decorative package 4 is inserted intothe protective envelope 6. If the decorative package 4 includes amessage box 20 thereon the gift giver can include a message on thedecorative package 4 prior to inserting the decorative package 4 in theprotective package 6. Once fully inserted, the protective package 6 isclosed and sealed to form the gift package 2 ready for mailing orshipping to the recipient, as shown in FIGS. 7-12.

In the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the protective package 6includes a handle 40 to carry the gift package 2. The handle 8 caneither be formed integrally with the protective package 6 as part of thepackage material, or can be attached to the protective package 6 of thesame or different material, such as of a plastic material attached withan adhesive, or as of a string having stops at the ends threaded throughholes in the protective package 6, etc.

As shown in FIG. 12, the gift package 2 comprises the gift enclosedwithin the closed decorative package 4, and the decorative package 4sealed within the protective package 6. Since the decorative package 4is dimensionally substantially the same as the protective package 6,except slightly smaller, the decorative package 4 does not freely slidewithin the protective package 6 even if the decorative package 4 doesnot fully reach the ends of the protective package 6.

Once received, the recipient can pull the tear strip 26 to open theclosure flap 22 and remove the decorative package 4 from the protectivepackage 6. The recipient can read the message in the message area 20, ifany, and open the decorative package 4. If the decorative package 4 issealed and includes a tear strip 16, the recipient pulls the tear strip16 to open the closure flap 12 and remove the gift.

If the protective package 6 includes a return postcard 30, with a secondtear strip 36 near the terminal end 32 of the closure flap 22 andperforated lines 38 for removal, the recipient pulls the tear strip 36to remove the return postcard 30 from the protective package 6 anddetaches the excess material beyond the perforated lines 38. Therecipient can then write a message to the giver on the return postcard30, address the return postcard 30 to the giver, attach a stamp ifpostage is not prepaid and mail the return postcard 30 back to thegiver.

In an alternative preferred embodiment, shown in FIG. 14, the decorativepackage 4 is in the form of a box and the protective package 6 is in theform of an envelope with mitered corners as shown and described in U.S.Pat. No. 6,109,511. In this embodiment, the box of the decorativepackage 4 is preferably formed so that it folds flat for sale to thegift giver with the mitered envelope protective package 6.

The length and width dimensions of the decorative package 4 shown inFIG. 13, when configured into a three dimensional box, are substantiallysimilar to the score lines 10 of the protective package 6 having miteredcorners (see FIG. 1). In this embodiment, the decorative package 4 isheld from moving freely within the protective package 6 by the angledpanels 42 beyond the score lines 10.

It is also preferred that the decorative package 4 and protectivepackage 6 be collapsible so that they are capable of being stored,packaged and shipped flat prior to sale to the gift giver. Thus, whethersold as any combination of boxes, envelopes or a box and an envelope, itis preferred that the decorative package 4 and protective package 6 besold in a form where the decorative package 4 and protective package 6lie flat prior to use. The decorative package 4 and protective package 6can then be bundled together, i.e., in shrink wrap, etc., for sale tothe giver. Moreover, the decorative package 4 and protective package 6can be bundled together with such additional items as tissue paper,ribbon, etc., if desired.

Variations, modifications and alterations to the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention described above will make themselves apparent tothose skilled in the art. All such changes are intended to fall withinthe spirit and scope of the present invention, limited solely by theappended claims.

All patents referred to herein are hereby incorporated by reference.

1. A gift package comprising a decorative package and a protectivepackage, the decorative package comprising a decorative outer surface,wherein the protective package is dimensionally slightly larger than thedecorative package so that the decorative package does not move freelywithin the protective package when sealed therein.
 2. The gift packageof claim 1 wherein the protective package conforms to the shape of thedecorative package.
 3. The gift package of claim 1 wherein theprotective package has a different shape than the decorative package. 4.The gift package of claim 1 where the decorative package is made from amaterial taken from the group consisting of coated and/or uncoatedpaper, paperboard, cardboard, corrugate, plastic, foil, polyethylenefiber, natural fiber, woven material, fabric material and combinationsor laminates thereof.
 5. The gift package of claim 1 where theprotective package is made from a material taken from the groupconsisting of coated and/or uncoated paper, paperboard, cardboard,corrugate, plastic, foil, polyethylene fiber, natural fiber, wovenmaterial, fabric material and combinations or laminates thereof.
 6. Thegift package of claim 1 wherein the decorative package has a decorativeexterior formed by laminating, coating, printing, screening or adheringa decorative material.
 7. The gift package of claim 6 wherein thedecorative package has a message area thereon.
 8. The gift package ofclaim 1 wherein at least one of the decorative package and theprotective package is in the form of an envelope.
 9. The gift package ofclaim 8 wherein the protective package is formed as an envelope havingmitered corners and at least one score line relating to the length andwidth of the decorative package, the decorative package being in theform of a box.
 10. The gift package of claim 8 wherein the decorativepackage is formed as an envelope and the protective package is formed asa box.
 11. The gift package of claim 1 wherein the decorative packagefurther comprises a closure flap for enclosing the gift within thedecorative package.
 12. The gift package of claim 11 wherein the closureflap of the decorative package includes a closure for maintaining theclosure flap in a closed configuration.
 13. The gift package of claim 12wherein the closure comprises a portion of the closure flap that isinserted into a slot in the decorative envelope.
 14. The gift package ofclaim 1 wherein the protective package further comprises a closure flapfor closing the decorative package within the protective package. 15.The gift package of claim 7 wherein the message area is formed on theclosure flap of the decorative package.
 16. The gift package of claim 15wherein the closure flap of the protective package includes a sealingclosure for maintaining the closure flap in a closed configuration. 17.The gift package of claim 12 wherein the closure flap further comprisesa tear strip for opening the protective envelope.
 18. The gift packageof claim 14 wherein the closure flap of the protective package has anelongated area forming a return postcard.
 19. The gift package of claim18 wherein the closure flap of the protective envelope has a closure atthe terminal end, beyond the postcard.
 20. The gift package of claim 1wherein the protective envelope further comprises a handle.
 21. The giftpackage of claim 1 wherein the decorative package and protective packagecan be bundled together and sold flat prior to use.
 22. A method ofpackaging a gift for shipment from a gift giver to a recipientcomprising the steps of placing the gift into a decorative package withpredetermined decorative exterior, closing the decorative package aboutthe gift, placing the decorative package into a protective package thatis dimensionally slightly larger than the decorative package andaddressing the protective package.
 23. The method of claim 22 furthercomprising writing a message to the recipient on a message area of thedecorative package.
 24. The method of claim 22 further comprisingremoval of a return postcard attached to the protective package by therecipient, writing a message on the postcard and returning the postcardto the giver.
 25. A gift package comprising a decorative envelope havinga closure flap, a portion of the closure flap comprising a message areato be used as a gift card.